Establishing a lawn

[black2002ls]

We have been going full force on the inside of the home for a little over a month now. I would like to make some improvements outside to give it a little curb appeal. The yard is 90% weeds and bare spots. There are a few areas with good patches of St. Augustine.

My primary question is whether I will be better off with bermuda or St Augustine. The yard is a large corner lot, pretty much full sun, and no irrigation system. I have a few low spots in the front that I am going to fill and grade out, and at some point the back yard will get re-graded. Right now I am going to focus on the front yard.

So, seed bermuda or lay st augustine sod? Do it now or battle the weeds first?

[talisman]

St Augustine is really nice, but requires a lot of water.

[black2002ls]

St Augustine is really nice, but requires a lot of water.

that is what I was thinking. Making it harder to maintain without irrigation.

[mstng86]

bermuda. good luck seeding in this drought though.

[black2002ls]

bermuda. good luck seeding in this drought though.

i have been hoping for left overs from a job, but our landscaper is having a hard time getting sod

[mstng86]

i have been hoping for left overs from a job, but our landscaper is having a hard time getting sod

Yea, i need like 20 squares but even Starr Turf didn't have bermuda last time i checked.

[8mpg]

Bermuda will do well in the full sun. I would only put StAugustine out if you have some shade and lots of water.

[Binky]

The Home Depot at Coit and Campbell every Saturday usually has about 4-5 pallets of St augustine and about 2-3 of Bermuda.



We went with SA, and I would say about 85% of the sod was excellent to Very Good. at at a 1.49 for a 3sqft section that wasn't bad at all. We got the backyard done in a flash. After about a week, we're seeing new growth and after 3 weeks we're ready for the first mow of the lawn. Some patches here and there that need attention, but with water and some lawn food you can have a great lawn in a month.

[UserX]

Here's my $.02, I just did this to my yard.

Start by having some good quality top soil/compost mixture trucked in. This will really help the new grass establish its roots. You can also address any low spots or grading that needs done. It's a lot of work, but dirt is cheap. I had five cubic yards delivered (over 10,000 lbs.) and moved it all in place with 5 gallon buckets in a weekend. It was only a couple hundred bucks.

I always prefer sod over seed, instant gratification. I put down fescue, it stays green year round and is a real slow grower. Not sure how well it does in TX, but I would look into it.

[8mpg]

Here's my $.02, I just did this to my yard.

Start by having some good quality top soil/compost mixture trucked in. This will really help the new grass establish its roots. You can also address any low spots or grading that needs done. It's a lot of work, but dirt is cheap. I had five cubic yards delivered (over 10,000 lbs.) and moved it all in place with 5 gallon buckets in a weekend. It was only a couple hundred bucks.

I always prefer sod over seed, instant gratification. I put down fescue, it stays green year round and is a real slow grower. Not sure how well it does in TX, but I would look into it.

couple hundred bucks? Last time we got 10yds of 50/50 sandy loam top soil it was $150. I need 10yds...hope the price didnt skyrocket

[black2002ls]

I was talking with one of my co-workers today. He brought up a good point, that we are on a corner lot, and have a lot of real estate in the front yard to wow people with, and that I should do it right if I am going to put any work into the yard at all. We talked about killing the yard (read: weeds), bringing in top soil, tilling it up and grading it all out. It definitely needs it in the back yard, due to the water retention, the front yard doesn't hold water, but it has some low spots. The biggest problem right now is cost, with what we have already spent remodeling the inside of the home. Also, I can get one of my trades to do it for me, either for really cheap, or free on a Sunday, however, all of our grade guys are so busy right now they don't have time to take on the extra work. I think I have a friend with a mini excavator, if it has a blade on it, I might see if he wants to help. The other major factor is that I really need to have gutters in place before I worry with the grade, as the water rushing off of the hip roof will eat the grade up and have to be fixed. $$$$$$$ is all I see right now when I pull in the driveway!

[mstng86]

You sure you don't want the name of the company that did mine? I had mine done all the way around, single story, 2150 sqft home for 1400 I think. Seemless gutters

[UserX]

couple hundred bucks? Last time we got 10yds of 50/50 sandy loam top soil it was $150. I need 10yds...hope the price didnt skyrocket

Hey, man... I live in L.A.!

Shit ain't cheap.

[black2002ls]

You sure you don't want the name of the company that did mine? I had mine done all the way around, single story, 2150 sqft home for 1400 I think. Seemless gutters

Wasn't it allstate? I think that is who gave me the best estimate. $750 for full seamless. They were one of only two companies who returned my call and provided a quote.

[mstng86]

No, ill send you a pm in a sec.

it was $1000 actually.